Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Longwood University recognizes the need for investigations in which human beings may serve as research subjects.

Since all proposals require University certification that proposed research and training programs involving human subjects comply with an accepted institutional review procedure, it will be necessary to follow the approved review procedure outlined in the Standards and Guidelines of the committee.

Longwood University Research Integrity

The University is cognizant of its responsibility for ensuring that the privacy, safety, health, and welfare of such subjects are adequately protected. 

The guiding principle of the IRB is that faculty should model the best practices in human subjects research summarized in the Belmont Report in both their own research and in student-led research including:

Respect for Persons: Individuals should be treated as autonomous agents and individuals with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection.

Beneficence: People are treated in an ethical manner by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also making efforts to secure their wellbeing.

Justice: Considering who should receive the benefits of research and who should bear its burdens.

The IRB adheres to the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) definitions for human subjects research under 45 CFR 46.102.

The policies of the University with respect to research, development, and related activities involving human subjects are based on the following principles:

1. Participation of a human subject in any experiment must be voluntary and the information provided to gain subject consent must be adequate and appropriate. In classroom settings, potential participants must be informed by their instructors that they are not obliged to participate and that appropriate alternatives to participation will be provided.
2. The risks to the subject must be acceptable when measured against possible benefit to him/her or by the importance of the knowledge to be gained as a result of participation.
3. Research and training activities involving human subjects must be supervised by qualified persons.
4. All research programs which involve human subjects must be reviewed by, and receive the approval of, the Institutional Review Board prior to initiation of the procedures. Continuing research programs are subject to review. This review must be carried out at least on an annual basis.

The interpretation and implementation of these policies is the responsibility of the Institutional Review Board under the direction of the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Resources

IRB Canvas Page

Templates, resources, and guidance are available on the IRB Canvas page.

Please email IRB@longwood.edu to be added to the IRB Canvas page.

Consultations

The IRB offers individual consultations with Dr. Jo Morrison, Chair of the IRB, to help you develop and complete proposals, integrate human subjects research into classes, and meet compliance needs.

Forms

Please email your completed research proposal to irb@longwood.edu.

Proposal Templates

• Proposal Template - Annotated Version (doc)
• Proposal Template - Blank Version (doc)

Committee Members

HHS IRB number: IRB00008677

FWA number: FWA00019433

Chair

Jo Morrison, Associate Professor of Exercise Science

Members

Eric Laws - Professor of Psychology
Jen McConnel - Associate Professor of English Education
David Locascio - Associate Professor of Education and Associate Dean CEHHS
Dr. Robert Nash - Community Member

Alternate Members

Jackie Daniel - Assistant Professor of Nursing (alternate for Jo Morrison)
Cristina Crego - Assistant Professor of Psychology (alternate for Eric Laws)
Evan Long - Assistant Professor of Education (alternate for David Locascio)
Jacqueline Secoy - Associate professor of Music (alternate for Jen McConnel)

Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

Conducting research with animals? Please visit Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC).